Previously missing man found dead, face down, covered with dirt, rocks in vacant Ocean View lot

Big Island police are investigating after a man who was reported missing at the end of June was found dead, face down, covered with dirt and rocks in a vacant lot in Kaʻū.

An anonymous source informed the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Area II Criminal Investigation Section at about 2 p.m. Tuesday that something was thought to be dead and partially buried in a vacant lot in Ocean View.

The source talked about an earlier report of a missing person from the area of Tiki Lane and gave specific directions for how to get to the lot.

Kaʻū Patrol officers responded to the vacant lot in the 92-9200 block of Tiki Lane, where the body was discovered. Area II Criminal Investigation Section detectives also responded. Upon uncovering the man, detectives observed severe injuries to his head.

The man’s description matched that of 51-year-old Adam Santos, who was reported missing June 30. The dead man was positively identified as Santos, and his next of kin was notified.

An unattended death investigation was initiated and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of Santos’ death.

Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to call the Hawai‘i Police Department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311. You can also contact Detective Donovan Kohara at 808-960-3118 or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300.